Note 9 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Homebuilding Capitalized Interest - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Total interest incurred		$ 42,304		$ 37,308		$ 125,964		$ 113,735
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned		(41,611)		(36,927)		(124,520)		(112,368)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(693)		(381)		(1,444)		(1,367)
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of home sales		30,275		28,872		87,721		83,052
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of land sales		3,048		87		4,803		706
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures								30
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (1	[1]	$ 307,603		$ 275,367		$ 307,603		$ 275,367
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned		8.10%		8.80%		8.10%		8.80%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (1)		$ 2,109	[1]	$ 299	[1]	$ 2,109	[1]	$ 299	[1]	$ 700
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		1.70%		0.60%		1.70%		0.60%

[1] During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $2.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively, of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned.